
I guess they may be keeping the funding pages open to try and decrease costs with whatever may be donated. Not much is known about the SETS group though and the announcement kind of came out of nowhere, hence why more people are hesitant to donate. Another post on facebook showing 4615 and 8606 inside the former Lithgow Loco Depot.Actually at the State Mines workshop Lithgow.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NSWRailwaysPastandPresent/permalink/2545143928844738/
As far as I'm aware the former Lithgow Loco depot is now owned/part of Pacific National? If so I guess that may explain the move to hire them (8230) to haul the trains there from Junee. Interesting if it is PN or some 3rd party though that is working on the locos in terms of testing/work/any repairs, etc?
Looks like the rumours may be true after all that they are required by Sydney Trains, specifically for some underground work. Noticed yesterday that the Transport Heritage NSW facebook page "liked" the SETS facebook page. I don't think anyone would be against there being a good relationship between SETS, THNSW and Sydney Trains. If these 2 locos are able to "earn their keep" while also perhaps helping the other 2 locos in their collection such as 8501 and 4627 have a better future, it's a win for all involved, including those who want to get tickets and enjoy some trips behind these locos, if they become available for this purpose.
On a side note, someone else on the NSWRPandP facebook page noted that 8649 (at werris creek with 8501) had recently changed ownership and that it would be eventually revealed who that person is. 8649 is apparently ex El Zorro, but unlike the other 2 ex El Zorro locos 8609 and 8622 was not scrapped.
Seems like some interesting developments on the electric side of things. I had always hoped the return of electric set F1 may be a catalyst for further vintage electrics returning to service, including the locos - even though these electrics being re-activated was largely due to necessity of some kind of underground work.
These photos were posted back on July 10, 2018 when it seems there was some testing going on with 8606...looks like things didn't all go well
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlCu2w5h0i1/?hl=en&tagged=lithgow
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlCvE2dhy1l/?hl=en&tagged=8606
This was a shot of 4615 taken July 11, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlEPxivgD1q/?hl=en&tagged=lithgow
Being converted to a hybrid to also use coal or diesel as a source of power?These photos were posted back on July 10, 2018 when it seems there was some testing going on with 8606...looks like things didn't all go well
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlCu2w5h0i1/?hl=en&tagged=lithgow
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlCvE2dhy1l/?hl=en&tagged=8606
This was a shot of 4615 taken July 11, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlEPxivgD1q/?hl=en&tagged=lithgow
Rule number 1 in electronics. Don't let the smoke out.
That was just the rats leaving for more suitable lodgings.These photos were posted back on July 10, 2018 when it seems there was some testing going on with 8606...looks like things didn't all go well
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlCu2w5h0i1/?hl=en&tagged=lithgow
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlCvE2dhy1l/?hl=en&tagged=8606
This was a shot of 4615 taken July 11, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlEPxivgD1q/?hl=en&tagged=lithgow
Rule number 1 in electronics. Don't let the smoke out.
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